Bhuj Axe Knife

Bhuj Axe Knife

A Bhuj is a type of dagger commonly referred to as an Axe Knife or Elephant Knife. The blade is single edged, short and heavy, and takes a distinctive S-shape form. The term Bhuj refers to the city of that name in Western India in the state of Gujarat, where many examples of this type were made.

This example bears chiselled silver and silver-gilt decoration including a trellis and floral pattern along the haft, and scrolling flowers and leaves on the blade. An elephant head marks the base of the blade, symbolising victory, and the pommel is in the shape of a lotus flower. A further example can be found in The Royal Armouries, Leeds, (Accession Number XXVIC.38), and another published in Elgood, p. 206, no. 141.

Literature: Elgood, Robert. Arms and Armour at the Jaipur Court: The Royal Collection, Niyogi Books, New Delhi, 2015.